CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — This was supposed to be the Cam Newton game.
It was to be Newton’s homecoming, and a chance for the Carolina Panthers’ 2011 No. 1 draft pick to face his former team after releasing him before the 2020 season.
Instead, rookie quarterback Mac Jones leads the Patriots against the Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a matchup of 4-4 teams after Newton was cut before the regular-season opener.
Jones beat out Newton for the starting job in training camp and this year’s No. 15 overall pick from Alabama has been a pleasant surprise so far, leading all rookie QBs in completions (192), completion rate (68.